The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

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Hi, I'm New

Hi,i'm really glad to have stumbled upon this site, from what I've seen so far you guys have some really awesome maps. I'm an artist and dm more of the latter lately because I've got carpal tunnel. Despite this though I'm going to make some maps for my campaign. Additionally I was wondering what the rules were about using maps here in personal campaigns or on a virtual tabletop?

For carpal tunnel, I recommend a Wacom - they do wonders, since it's less of a forced position - and personally I got myself a trackball, because mice were causing me such pain I thought my thumb was going to fall off.

As for the maps, I think the rules are generally: ask politely unless someone explicitly allows it, and even then dropping a little thank you comment will make everyone feel that much better and give you a dose of good karma.

As a programmer I have to watch out for Carpal as well and I use a trackball as well which I think is much better than a mouse. The main reason is that when I let go of the ball the cursor stays where it is but with a mouse when you let go it often moves a bit. So it requires constant muscle to keep the position static. If you have a day job and a personal amount of work then having switch between the two can be good too.

Using maps in personal campaigns. I would think that there could be no problem for anyone in that circumstance. The usual time that you need to definitely check is a) when you distribute the file as a print or online even in another forum. If you get permission then thats fine, if the file is public domain or creative commons then thats fine too - check the CC type. Look at peoples signatures. Like mine, often people state what the usual sharing options are. Sometimes we do commission work where we assign or otherwise limit the copyright to the commissioner where in that case we usually have more restrictive options for sharing. If the image has come from a published paid for source then its usually not a good idea to redistribute and I would also say probably less so if the artist is marked as an industry pro as well. These people tend to earn their living off of their art. But strictly, in all cases you need permission unless its granted to you by a statement (as in the CC case). You can always link to the image here if its posted but you may have to be a signed in member to see that.

@Lukc yeh actually I grabbed a wacom after I was diagnosed , not being used to digital art though I got kind of frustrated with it, but now that I've resigned myself to make some maps for the campaign I think I'm gonna dig it out and give it another shot .

welcome to the guild - had carpal tunnel some years ago I tend to take care - I think a wacom is a really good choice, although I'm still getting used to using mine. You may use any maps I post here for personal use without asking (I think a lot in here would say the same) - but its always nice to get a "I used your map - thanks".
If you want to post maps somewhere online you always have to ask (unless noted specifically otherwise, like in a CC note) it is also the polite thing to do, we all like praise now and then